In what observers call a landmark victory, Saint Lucia Labour Party’s Kenson Casimir has secured a second term as Gros Islet’s parliamentary representative, the constituency’s first back‑to‑back win since Mario Michel’s tenure from 1997 to 2006.
Casimir secured 8,175 votes, finishing 4,314 votes ahead of his sole challenger, the United Workers Party’s (UWP) Marcella Johnson – a margin believed to be the largest in the constituency’s electoral history.
“I want to say thank you to all of Gros Islet for making history today,” Casimir said during a livestream as he was driven through the constituency amid celebrations on Monday night. “A margin of over 4,000 votes, never before in Saint Lucia’s history, thank you! I love you, I love you!”
Johnson, speaking after her defeat in a statement posted on social media, thanked supporters and reflected on her campaign, saying, “We may not have won the seat, but what we built together over the past months is something far greater than a simple victory or defeat.”
She later extended well-wishes to Casimir: “I sincerely wish you all the best as you continue the journey of leadership. May God guide your decisions, strengthen your purpose and bless your service to Gros Islet.”
As results from Saint Lucia’s December 1 general election came in, SLP supporters gathered in large numbers across Gros Islet, particularly in the town centre where Casimir was born and raised. UWP turnout in the constituency appeared markedly lower throughout the night.
During Casimir’s first four-year term, Gros Islet saw a number of community-level developments, including upgrades to sporting infrastructure such as the renamed Baba Lastic Grounds and the refurbished Monchy playing field.
Road repairs and the construction of bus shelters were carried out across multiple communities,
alongside the development of a commercial centre, expansion of the Gros Islet Polyclinic, construction of the Police Headquarters, and the opening of the Gros Islet Beach Park.
The constituency has also attracted significant tourism investment, including the A’ila Resorts project.
Major road works are scheduled to begin, with plans for dual-carriage expansions intended to ease congestion in the rapidly growing district.
Casimir’s campaign message this cycle largely centred on continuing the work launched during his first term.
While the two campaigned, Johnson’s criticisms of the incumbent focused on claims of inadequate attention to traffic congestion along the Rodney Bay Highway and rising living costs.
She also pledged to stimulate business activity through coastal reconstruction projects.
Casimir, the Minister for Youth Development and Sports, also faced allegations from opposition supporters suggesting impropriety in relation to real estate acquisitions, accusations he has dismissed as a “smear campaign”.
The SLP won the 2025 general election with 14 seats. Two independents and UWP leader Allen Chastanet also won.
Casimir should be made Prime Minister. St. Lucia needs a young PM to target the youth. Or Make Lisa PM. Dispute my party loose. I congratulate the Labour Party especially the young representatives.
Only the youth can help the youth – you can bring a horse to the water – but you cannot make it drink. I just heard where an uncle tried to help his nephew by asking him to be a better son to his father and to stay on course and out of trouble – guess what this young man did. You can check the news for yourselves – very sad outcome.
Most individuals of this generation want glitz and glamour, fame and fortune, they are envious and jealous – don’t want to get their hands dirty and want to get rich overnight. Last time I checked Rome was not built in a day and choices have consequences. Therefore, make wise choices and good decisions if you want to succeed in life…period – fullstop.
@Jay. The fish rots from the head. It starts with the leadership. You have to work your entire life to earn a pittance of a pension. A politician serves one term and they are eligible to receive a pension. All those people waving those flags now have to fend for themselves while the politicians are set for life. They enter office with nothing and leave as multi millionaires. This is not possible on a politician’s salary. The youth see the system for what it is. Crooked. Therefore they adopt the mindset of the politicians. We are doomed as a country. Corruption is inherently entropic and will lead to destruction of the system as we know it.